Condenser gas boiler or what?

celtic_yob_2

I wonder can someone help with a query I have?
I am going to have a combie gas fired boiler installed, I have had quotes, and they all say, don't have a condenser boiler, as the extra cost, will never be made up in the savings you make in running it.
Anyone had expereance of this?

Tempus_Legere

Hi there,
having just had a boiler serviced, and had an hour or so to talk to my plumber, you need to take a few things in to consideration before you decide. According to the plumber it will soon be compulsory to fit a condensing boiler I am informed. From April 2005 I believe.
As a consequence, companies with a stock of non-condensing boilers face a scrapping them if they dont offload them to customers soon!
Condensing boilers are more efficient, so although more expensive, they are ecologically friendly, and perform better!
I would do some more research, ask more quesations, and check the internet.
All the best.

PS I have just located the following: From:https://www.est.org.uk/myhome/efficientproducts/boilers/what/

"As of April 1st 2005, a change in the building regulations legislation means that most boilers fitted after this time must be high efficiency condensing boilers. Make sure you ask your installer about high efficiency condensing boilers and if your home can be fitted with one."

scattycat_3

I think after March this year, you will have no choice, but to fit a condensing boiler, by law. Edit....Snap T_L

A lot of misinfo is given by people who are fighting a rearguard because they dont want to be bothered learning about the new calculations on radiator size or about fitting the boilers. You can get Condensing boilers from £399.
Prices have come down considerably since the days when they were £1000 and could only be sold with the grants on offer.

There is another opinion " combi boilers are not what they are cracked up to be ". That is because of poor hot water flow, especially in cold weather.

economiser

Yes they are theoretically more efficient. Yes they are more expensive. Yes they will be compulsory in the near future under Part L of the Building Regulations.

However, unless they operate at their ideal operating temperatures the savings will not be as good as those quoted by suppliers. They are more complicated and will need a condensate drain.

Are they worth having? If they were that good they wouldn't have to make them compulsory. Good for the planet but not for your pocket!

sandinista

Hi there,a word of caution re condensing boilers.I had an Ideal Isar condensing boiler fitted in the spring of 2002,it worked very well ,the only problem being that it would come on of its own accord for 30 seconds many times during the night.This is a design feature so that it is kept at its optimum temperature for hot water operation and there is no way to disable it as its in the PCB.This is all well and good if you live in a massive house and its tucked well out of the way but I live in a small terraced cottage and the only place it could be fitted was the bottom of the stairs.After 4 or 5 sleepless nights I had to replace it with a coventional combi ,the Response 120 which has been superb.

Also because they condense you get plumes of condensate coming out of the flu which is another consideration if you don't want to upset the neighbours.

celtic_yob_2

Thanks for the replies all.
Well, I have had a quote off one heating engineer, he give a price of £2.115.00.
The boiler is a Ferroli Maxima, on the net they are about £1.000. So I suppose £1.115 to put the boiler in is not to bad.
As you can see, I think I have decided on a condenser type.
Again thanks.